Is the Audi Q5 reliable?
57% of the 28 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 64/100 — it scores a little better than average.
28
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections64/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10057%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 55%Across 28 used Audi Q5s we inspected, this model scores a little better than average — average condition 64/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Oil leaks · Engine
75%
Fuel trim out of range · Engine
39%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
36%
Cracked or torn suspension bushings · Suspension
36%
Active error codes · Electronic equipment
25%
Share of inspected Audi Q5s where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 32%
Good 25%
Mediocre 29%
Poor 14%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
71%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
4%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
21%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 23%
More on Audi
Straight from recent Audi Q5 reports
2021 Audi Q5 · 32k mi — flagged: oil leaks, battery condition (12v), tires condition & wear. Inspected Jul 11.
2019 Audi Q5 · 49k mi — flagged: tires condition & wear. Inspected Jun 30.
The bottom line
Oil leaks hit three-quarters of these Q5s, so pop the hood first and treat anything beyond a light weep as grounds to walk or hammer the price hard. Layer on the common fuel-trim faults plus cracked suspension bushings and you have a car that can quietly bleed money on engine and chassis work even when the body looks straight. Repaints sit no worse than average, so cosmetic history alone is not the deal-breaker; instead demand a live code scan and price in fresh bushings and tires before you commit.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Audi Q5?
The items we flag most often are oil leaks (75%), fuel trim out of range (39%), tires condition & wear (36%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 21% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
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Based on 28 inspections · updated Aug 12, 2026
